Ulster BOCES' New Visions program will have new classes in 2013-14

NEW PALTZ, N.Y. -- Ulster BOCES is accepting applications from top-performing high school juniors in member school districts to join its "pre-university" programs for 2013-14, including a new New Visions program to be launched this fall that will focus on engineering and robotics.

BOCES Superintendent Charles Khoury said organizers are targeting an enrollment "in the low 20s" for the first year of the engineering initiative and more in the second year.

The program is part of the Board of Cooperative Educational Services' effort to help its member school districts expand science, technology, engineering and math offerings so that student can get they skills they need to compete in a tough job market, Khoury has said.

Advertisement

New Visions programs are a blend of classroom study and hands-on learning in the field with professionals in the community. Existing versions of New Visions focus on health care, the performing and visual arts, education, media and game design.

Putting New Visions programs under the "pre-university" programs umbrella is part of an effort by Ulster BOCES to rebrand New Visions, emphasizing that the classes allow students get earn nine to 12 college credits while still in high school.

The available pre-university courses for the 2013-14 school year are: Advanced Robotics and Engineering; Aeronautical Engineering Technology; Audio Engineering and Music Studio Production; Performing and Visual Arts; Scientific Research and Experimental Design; Media and Game Design; Politics, Law and Government; Education; and Health.

The engineering classes might be housed at Rondout Valley High School, Khoury has said.

In 2014-15, BOCES plans to launch an Advanced Computer Design and Networking New Visions program, Khoury has said.

Information sessions for students and parents regarding the health and scientific research courses will be held at 6 p.m. March 12 at Benedictine Hospital in Kingston. Info sessions for all of the other pre-university programs will be held at 6 p.m. March 7 at the Ulster BOCES Conference Center, 175 state Route 32, New Paltz.